NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- North Dakota opened a three-day, five-game tournament at Belmont University Friday, falling 2-1, in the opener to the host Bruins. Kaylin VanDomelen had two of UND's four hits but suffered the loss in the circle, despite allowing just two runs with eight strikeouts.

"Just not good enough tonight," UND head coach Jordan Stevens said. "We had too many chances to just score, but once we were content with swinging without purpose and hitting five-hoppers to the infield. It's just not clean right now all the way around. We must play at a higher level."

North Dakota struck first in the top of the first inning as VanDomelen singled then advanced to second on an error in right and took third on the throw. After a Marina Marzolino walk, Taylor Nadler cashed in the run on a sacrifice fly to left, but that would be it in the scoring column for UND tonight.

Folliwng that one-out walk to Marzolino, Rouse set down nine consecutive batters before Nadler singled to left in the fourth. North Dakota would eventually load the bases in that inning but left them all stranded.

The Fighting Hawks did it again in the fifth inning with a VanDomelen single and free passes to Angel Love and Marzolino going for naught. UND had plenty of chances in this one, stranding eight runners on base but Belmont (5-2) used four singles in the second inning to plate a pair eventually earning the win.

VanDomelen took the loss in the circle, going six innings, allowing two runs while striking out eight and scattering nine hits.

North Dakota (3-8) faces Tennessee State and Cleveland State Saturday.